£8.5m West Midlands Interchange: Staffordshire MPs want a say
A meeting to discuss 'what exactly is being proposed' at a mooted £8.5 million West Midlands Interchange is being called for by Staffordshire MPs.
Ambitious plans for the West Midlands Interchange, which bosses say could create around 8,500 jobs, were revealed for the first time earlier this month.
Under the plans, a rail freight interchange will be built on 618 acres of land west of Junction 12 of the M6.
Despite the promise of thousands of jobs and millions in investment for the region, the proposals have not been completely welcomed.
As the plans were revealed, Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, said he had 'grave concerns' about intrusion onto green belt land.
Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy has now had his say, and has called for a meeting to fully understand the proposals.
He said: "I am urgently seeking a meeting, along with Gavin Williamson MP and local councillors, in order to understand what exactly is being proposed.
"However, it is vital that whatever is put forward for this site, local residents, parish councils and groups are consulted fully and their views taken on board.
"Whatever the pros and the cons, any development of this size, on greenbelt, will have a huge impact on the area and it is therefore vital that we get it right."
The interchange will be built alongside warehouses and other associated developments.
Bosses from Four Ashes Limited say the scheme will create thousands of jobs, boosting manufacturing, logistics, freight and other areas of the region's economy, as well as reducing the number of HGVs on roads across the West Midlands.
It will also link directly to the West Coast Mainline, one of the country's principal freight routes.
The proposed need for such a development was first mentioned in the West Midlands Regional Logistics Studies of 2005 and 2009, with bosses identifying Staffordshire and the Black Country as a 'priority location' for such an interchange.
Developers will be looking to gauge public opinion on proposals over the coming months with a view to submitted a complete plan next year.
Residents living across Staffordshire, Birmingham, parts of Warwickshire and near the northern M6 corridor will be consulted ahead of a full public consultation in the summer.
A second round of consultation will get underway next year after initial results are compiled.
